JESUS’ POLITICS
The Gospel of Mark #40
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
(Mark 12:13–17, NLT) “Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?” Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell you.” When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them.”
1. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FLATTERY AND COMPLIMENTS
(Romans 16:18, NIV) “By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”
(Proverbs 29:5, NIV) “Those who flatter their neighbors are spreading nets for their feet.”
(Luke 6:31, NLT) “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”
2. UNDERSTAND WHAT’S BEHIND THE QUESTION
(Mark 12:14–15a, NLT) “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?”
a. It’s a trap
(1 Thessalonians 2:4b, NLT) “Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.”
b. No = an armed revolt
c. Yes = hypocritical
(Luke 4:18–19, NLT) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”
3. SEE THE WISDOM OF JESUS’ ANSWER
(Mark 12:15–17, NLT) “Should we pay them, or shouldn’t we?” Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell you.” When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them.”
Jesus’ Politics
a. Nuanced
b. Consistent
c. God Centered
4. JESUS DEMONSTRATES THE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN THE TWO KINGDOMS
(Luke 6:20–26, NLT) “God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh. What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way. “What sorrow awaits you who are rich, for you have your only happiness now. What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger awaits you. What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow. What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds, for their ancestors also praised false prophets.”
The Comparison
a. Power
b. Success
c. Comfort
d. Recognition
Good Government
a. Promotes justice for all
b. Order and Peace
Advocating for Christian Virtue in My Community
a. Evangelism is God’s primary way of dealing with society’s problems
b. Keep the main thing the main thing
c. Make your presentation of issues about how this builds a better community
d. Work for reasonable compromise